Maiden Voyage of the Beast

Our maiden voyage/shakedown cruise in our new Heartland Cyclone aka "The Beast" is a family reunion in Napa.  The hotels are all booked up so three of our families take the RV's and we stay in a parking lot owned by one of our relatives.  We didn't get far out of our driveway when two significant problems were brought to my attention.  No brake lights on one side and water was pouring out of the underbelly.  After some investigation and due to the fact that we were on a time table we determined the problems could wait and we hit the road.  My dad was following us so he would take up the rear to help deal with the lack of brake lights on one side.

Summary of observations and lessons learned:
Brake lights failed on one side - Broken plug found under the back bumper.
Water leaking from underbelly
Shower Stall Crack - Covered under warranty
Add blocks under jacks that won't reach when fully extended
Unable to use the fan above the Stove without running the Gen or plugging in
Smoking brakes and clutch concerns brought to my attention

We got a killer deal on a new 2014 Heartland Cyclone, but I am starting to wonder if maybe there was a reason for the deal. I had already found a significant crack in the shower stall.  God knows how they will be able to fix that one.  A patch won't be acceptable.  I asked if there were any leaks during the PDI and was told there are no leaks.  We tested the lights at the dealer and I was told the brake lights worked so were they lying to me or did something shake loose?

On the way to Napa I am experimenting with different levels on the brake controller and finally seem to find a good setting, but then I end up changing it again.  Just can't get it right.  I wonder if there is a better way.....  My almost stock 03 Dodge HO Cummins does an ok job but as I mentioned in my last post, it has met it's match.  But it handled the hills just fine.  Accelerating up to speed from a stop is a problem though.  Stopping the beast is still uncomfortable.  More about my thoughts on these thing later though.

We arrive at our destination again without a scratch.  We are late for dinner so we all jump in my dads camper and head off.  Good times with some of our family.  Belly's full and a couple beers and I am good.  The stress of the drive and all the issues is fading a bit.  We head back to our new home in the parking lot.  I unhitch and level the beast with a few buttons but there is an error.  Turns out one of the Jacks was unable to reach the ground.  Noted and will correct the next time with a block.  We settle in for the night.

I am a bit of an early bird in the mornings so i get up to see if I can figure out the Brake problem.  After a few tests I find the problem was a result of a plug that had vibrated loose behind the bumper.  This was an oversight by the guys that installed the fifth wheel hitch.  The plug is damaged so it doesn't clip in like is should.  For now I taped the two plugs together with electrical tape and one problem is solved.

There is still a very slow and steady drip coming from the underbelly.  The Coroplast underbelly material covers everything so there is no way to determine where the leak is coming from .  The pump isn't cycling randomly so I have ruled out a leak in the water system for now and ignore the problem for the remainder of the trip.

Now my mind turns to breakfast and others are starting to awake so I ask around as to what the plan is.  Turns out it is potluck breakfast and we will all be eating in the Cyclone.  Cool.  This will give me a chance to try out the back deck patio and tables.  We were able to seat all nine of us very comfortably using the three tables that come with the beast.  Yeah!

I am used to a Lance Camper that had solar and most everything ran off the batteries.  This Cyclone is not setup for dry camping.  The Fan above the stove is integrated in the Microwave which runs on 120v.  The only way to use the fan while cooking bacon is to run the generator or plug into power.  This will have to be resolved at some point since I plan to do a lot of dry camping. Adding Solar and an inverter is one of my top priorities.

Skipping ahead to breakfast the next day where I sit with a cousin of mine that has been towing a Toyhauler for many years.  He also has a Dodge with a Cummins and begins to tell us about his trips to Pismo beach.  One one trip he smoked his brakes trying to come to a stop at a bottom of a hill.  He drives like he is racing though even when toying his beast.  On another trip he punches the pedal on his pumped up Dodge and smokes the clutch.  Lessons learned without having to experience them, but now I have to spend some money.  Ouch.  My wife is listening in and says that I didn't research this enough.  I need more horsepower, but not so much that I smoke my clutch and an exhaust brake is a must have.

The trip home goes somewhat smoothly, although still stressing a bit, things are improving.  While dumping the tanks I realize that one of the tank valves was left open at the dealer.  Thank god it was grey water.  I used the black tank flush system but it didn't seem to help as the black tank still shows as almost full on the gauge.  We arrive home.  Backing into the driveway was easier this time.  Unhitching and again I realize it pretty nice to unhitch and have full use of my truck vs having to remove a truck camper.  But I am far from satisfied with my decision yet.  I will keep posting my progress.